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There was more than enough debate during the 2017 NFL offseason about Colin Kaepernick. Should he get a contract? Should he not? Why isn’t that happening? Is it a conspiracy? Why doesn’t anyone want him when teams will take guys with criminal records?

Here’s what is indisputable about Kaepernick as Sporting News presents its ranking of the most hated players currently in the NFL: Kaepernick is not in the NFL.

When the Seahawks, Ravens and Dolphins passed on signing him, Kaepernick's options to play in the 2017 season dwindled to almost nothing. It felt odd to include him on the list when he’s not technically a player. It’d be like saying Hillary Clinton is a lousy president.

So whether it disappoints you or delights you, we will declare in advance that Kaepernick must resume his career as an NFL quarterback before he can rank among the most hated in that category.

We also can say that even if he were again in the league, he still would not be No. 1.

20Adrian Peterson, RB, New Orleans Saints

Why him: It is a measure of how far Peterson is past his prime that he’s all the way down here. Because on SN’s list of the 40 most hated players of all time, he was No. 11. As it is, rushing for less than 100 yards in two of the past three seasons led to Minnesota declining his contract option and SN barely squeezing him into the current top 20 of hateability. Peterson’s ideas about disciplining children led him to be widely reviled by NFL fans — and to a plea deal to misdemeanor reckless assault after he'd been charged with felony child abuse. The road back from that episode isn't just traversed with a football, but Peterson's claim to Sports Illustrated — “I know in my heart there’s not many fathers better than me” — wasn't exactly a public apology.

19Josh Norman, CB, Washington Redskins

Why him: Norman produced a well-timed career-year in 2015, making his first Pro Bowl for a season in which he was headed toward free agency. He signed a five-year, $75 million contract with one of the least likable teams in the league and commenced insulting just about anyone that came into his field of vision. In a 2016 cover story with ESPN: The Magazine, Norman ripped Giants receiver Odell Beckham; NFLPA director DeMaurice Smith (Norman said he is “in cahoots” with league owners); Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas (“He was supposed to be an all-world guy, and I shut him down” in a Super Bowl Norman’s team lost); QB Sam Bradford (“Have you ever once been one of the top 20 quarterbacks in the league?”) and his former team, Carolina, saying his move to Washington "was like going from dictatorship to freedom."

18Christian Hackenberg, QB, New York Jets

Why him: Some of the SN staff pushed back on this, but come on: This guy has gotten more negative publicity than any player in history who’s never seen the field. It might be different if he weren’t with a New York team, or if he hadn’t been (surprisingly) a second-round draft choice. But he is, and he was, and so the stories continue about how much he resembles Ebby Calvin (Nuke) LaLoosh, plucking off mascots (actually reporters) whenever he cuts loose a pass. Last year, an NFL coach told ESPN that Hackenberg couldn’t throw a ball into the ocean. Jets owner Woody Johnson maybe was trying to laugh it off, but responding, "I guess it depends upon which ocean," wasn’t much of a defense.

17Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Why him: After the Chiefs were denied a potential game-tying 2-point conversation in their playoff game against the Steelers because of a holding call, Kelce embarrassed himself with a locker-room tirade, saying, “It’s ignorance. The ref, No. 51, shouldn’t be able to wear a zebra jersey ever again. He shouldn’t even be able to work at a f—ing Foot Locker.” It wasn’t Kelce’s first confrontation with officials. Earlier in the season, he was ejected from a game against Jacksonville for throwing a towel at an official after he felt a pass interference call was missed in the end zone. Kelce apologized for leaving behind his teammates, then said, "I can't throw my flag at the ref, but he can throw his all day long." Kelce seems to be presenting himself as sort of a Gronk figure — without the humor.

16Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Why him: ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported last season that Bryant had “demonstrated a pattern of irresponsible behavior throughout his time in Dallas." Schefter wrote Bryant was late or missed medical treatment or team meetings on 20-40 occasions, including several when bothered by a foot injury early in 2016. Bryant responded by declaring to reporters, "I’ve got to be America’s most hated." Well, no, Dez, only 16th.

15Aqib Talib, CB, Denver Broncos

Why him: Colts tight end Dwayne Allen could tell you why. He was the player whose eyes were the target as Talib shoved his fingers through Allen’s facemask near the end of a Denver Broncos visit to Indianapolis in 2015. Talib got suspended a game for that. It was his third NFL suspension since the start of the decade. The others came in 2012 (four games for violating the league’s substance policy) and 2010 (one game and a game check for violating the personal conduct policy after he was charged with assaulting a cab driver). And yet he is a Super Bowl champion. Ick.

14Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Why him: Eli entered the league dictating where he wanted to play — he essentially forced a trade from the Chargers, who held the first pick, to the Giants. And though he twice did the world the favor in beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl, there still is resentment toward him. There are so many message-board threats about hatred of Eli Manning, they could fill a coffee-table book. Much of it starts with the Chargers saga, but it includes the fact that he is no Peyton Manning. And in this era, it can’t be forgotten that he can be a nightmare for fantasy owners (an average of 18 interceptions per year since 2010).

13Adam Jones, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Why him: If you don’t recognize the name, let’s try this one: Pac-Man. Oh, now you get it. Jones’ off-field activities were so notorious after he entered the league in 2005 that he wound up suspended for the entire 2007 season and part of 2008. He was supposed to enter the 2009 CFL season midway through, but Winnipeg chose to abandon that idea and declared, "We will pursue athletes that we believe will contribute to our organization on and off the field." Only the forgiving nature of Bengals owner Mike Brown brought Jones back into professional football. He repaid the team with some solid football — and then by drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that positioned Pittsburgh for a game-winning field goal in their January 2016 playoff game. And then by getting arrested again this past January, during which time he apparently made obscene and racial statements to the officer transporting him in a squad car.

Twitter comment from @JoeMcCann3: "The guy has made so many mistakes off the field, yet somehow is still in the league."

12Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots

Why him: When you’re an all-time great and you’re courting what one might describe as a “jackass” image — Bleacher Report called it "meathead," but that implies a lack of intellect — you’re going to wind up on the wrong side of some who follow the game. It has been profitable for Gronk in terms of endorsement income, and even his critics have to admit the guy has demonstrated a fair sense of humor from time to time. Four years ago, however, James Walker wrote an article for ESPN titled, "Is it time for Rob Gronkowski to grow up?" We're still waiting.

11James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Why him: He twice skipped the Steelers’ post-Super Bowl visit to the White House. He called commissioner Roger Goodell "a crook and a puppet" in a 2011 interview with Men’s Journal. “If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out,” Harrison said, "I wouldn’t do it." When the NFL wanted to interview him about an Al Jazeera report that briefly mentioned him along with four other players as being associated with PEDs — that source of the piece later retracted his claims — Harrison reiterated the assertion that Goodell is a “a crook.” Harrison is OK with the villain image, by the way; he posed for that Men’s Journal piece with two guns crossing his chest.

10Jay Cutler, QB, Miami Dolphins

Why him: It's quite likely Cutler would have ranked higher had he not spent the 2017 offseason as a retired player. (To be fair, we can't be entirely certain whether this made any difference in his training.) When the Dolphins called following the loss of starter Ryan Tannehill to a knee injury, could anyone have predicted it would take a single day as an active player for Cutler to give the internet the gift of a meme that would reinforce why he is so loathed by so many? Well, of course. He may let down his teammates and receivers, but never his haters.

9Richie Incognito, G, Buffalo Bills

Why him: In October 2013, an offensive tackle for the Dolphins, Jonathan Martin, left the team for "emotional reasons." Not long after, it was reported this resulted from alleged harassment by some teammates, particularly Incognito. A report compiled by independent investigator Ted Wells produced evidence including texts from Incognito to Martin using sexual threats against Martin’s sister, and text exchanges between Incognito and teammate Mike Pouncey in which both use homophobic slurs. Incognito was suspended by the Dolphins for conduct detrimental to the team in November 2013; that was not lifted until three months later. Oh, and one more thing: In 2009, a Sporting News poll of NFL players cited him as the dirtiest player in the league.

8Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Why him: Sherman wasn't yet a huge deal during his 2013 playoff encounter with Washington’s Trent Williams, which nearly led to a brawl. Video showed Sherman talking at Williams, and Williams trying to shut him up with a shove. Sherman’s postgame performances eventually made him a celebrity of sorts — when he shouted his way through a sideline interview after the (to that point) biggest victory of his career in the 2014 NFC championship game. Not happy shouting, but angry shouting. It was, to put it mildly, weird. According to a story in ESPN the Magazine, the oddity has not abated since. A few months after that game, Sherman intercepted a practice pass by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson — a Super Bowl champion by this point — and shouted to Wilson, “You f—ing suck!” Sherman's unique approach to team chemistry even led the team to ponder trading him, although he remains a Seahawk.

Twitter comment from @BigRoundDad: “The childish behavior, beginning with the “you mad, bro?” to Brady a few years back. Guy should grow up."

7J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans

Why him: It was a bit of a surprise how much loathing there is out there for Watt, but it is out there. There was a headline from Pro Football Talk: "J.J. Watt has a logo now, because that guy could use some attention." On an episode of Dan Le Batard’s ESPN radio show, co-host Stugotz suggested Watt is a phony and a fraud for tweeting during NBA games that he’d prefer to spending his time working to improve himself as an athlete to the level of Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry as opposed to sitting and watching them play hoops. "J.J. Watt will take any opportunity to make a story about himself," Stugotz said. "Get over yourself, man." Then there was the occasion when Watt posted a text from his brother, T.J., about how “3 of the past 4 years you have been THE most dominant defensive player in the world!” Like, who does that? You want to see my employee evaluation file from 2016? No, of course you don’t.

6Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants

Why him: Somewhere in his formative football years, Beckham got the idea that acting like a fool on the sideline (and sometimes the field) was part of the job description of superstar wide receiver. (How he got that idea growing up on a Sunday diet of Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens is hard to figure). Beckham gave us one of the most amazing regular-season moments of the decade with his one-handed, prime-time grab of a long pass against Dallas in 2015. But he has produced about as many tantrums as touchdowns in his short career. There was the one in January, when he reportedly punched a hole in the locker room wall at Lambeau Field. There was the one in September, when he swung at a kicking net — and it struck back, the crossbar surging toward him and striking him square in the jaw. Also, he cried. In a game against the Vikings in October, he managed to pick up a taunting penalty while catching only three balls for 23 yards.

5Ndamukong Suh, DT, Miami Dolphins

Why him: Suh left Nebraska as a wildly popular player and one of the most dominant lineman in the college game’s history. Is the problem now that he’s just very good? Is that why he became a pro who needs part of his income to cover league fines? In five seasons with the Lions, Suh was suspended twice and fined eight times. He earned 13 penalties of the unsportsmanlike/personal foul variety in his Detroit years. There have been fewer problems since he moved to Miami, although he got off without a flag when he appeared to kick Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, leading the Steelers to file a formal complaint to the league. The NFL chose not to fine Suh for in that circumstance. Roethlisberger said he’d never felt anything hit his knee harder but declined to comment whether the move was purposeful. "Only he knows that," Roethlisberger said.

4Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Why him: Of all the players on this list, Roethlisberger is here as much for his off-field behavior as anyone. He has spent the past half-dozen years rebuilding his image locally: He got married, fathered a couple kids and has talked about the growing importance of religion in his life. But the internet has a long memory, and the incident that occurred in Georgia during the 2010 offseason, in which he was accused of sexual assault but never charged, lingers, especially when he also was subject of a civil suit filed against him by a Nevada hotel employee who claimed he assaulted her in 2008; the case was settled in 2012. There are football reasons why Big Ben makes the list, as well. Since early in his career, Roethlisberger has been accused of being a drama king — by former Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, for instance, and former Ravens coach Brian Billick — for publicly discussing various injuries he has sustained.

Twitter comment from @jbhammer: "My wife hates Big Ben, and she used to go to Steelers games every year. You get one guess as to the reason why."

3Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Why him: Newton never has been able to find the right side of the line regarding how the American public expects a quarterback to behave. As a QB, for instance, his sometimes-elaborate celebrations lead to him being judged by a different standard than players at every other position. It was high comedy when a Tennessee woman wrote to the Charlotte Observer about how attending a Panthers game led to her daughter being scarred by Newton’s end-zone gyrations — that lady should have been granted the Mark Twain Prize for humor on the basis of that letter-to-the-editor alone — but it also was symptomatic of Newton's conundrum. Being impossibly good-looking doesn’t help, particularly when he speeds over the boundary between fashionable and fashion-forward. (Capris, man?) A good deal of the support that remained for Newton was lost when he backed away from his own fumble with the Super Bowl on the line. Oh, and the game was, too.

From the Charlotte Observer letter: “The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts and 'in your face' taunting of both the Titans players and fans. We saw it all.”

2Vontaze Burfict, OLB, Cincinnati Bengals

Why him: The difference between Burfict and Suh is that Burfict didn’t wait until he turned pro to begin trafficking in personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. If those were the kinds of qualities football people valued, Burfict might not have been benched by his coaches at Arizona State, and he might not have been available through all seven rounds of the NFL Draft — when the Bengals’ willingness to shop the scratch-and-dent section led them to sign him as a free agent. Burfict has rewarded them with seven career sacks ... and 17 penalties that fit either the personal foul or unsportsmanlike categories. And that’s just the regular season. We’re talking about someone who managed to engender a scuffle among the Bengals this summer because of a hit in a training-camp practice that was supposed to be non-contact, and who got himself suspended five games for a hit in an exhibition game.

Those stats also don’t include the blow to the head against Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown in a January 2016 playoff game that gifted the Steelers 15 yards toward a game-winning field goal — and got Burfict suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season. A lot of Burfict’s controversial plays have been against Pittsburgh, but there also was his apparent ankle-twist against Newton in 2015, the shot later that season against Ravens tight end Maxx Williams (who was merely running a decoy route) and a low hit against New England’s Martellus Bennett when Bennett was not the intended receiver last season. There are multiple YouTube videos dedicated to Burfict’s art.

1Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Why him: It seems worth wondering whether Brady would be as widely reviled throughout the portion of the football world that does not care for the Patriots if he carried himself more like, say, Aaron Rodgers. The Packers' QB is great, and for a good while he had the whole superstar girlfriend thing going, but he still didn’t crack this list. Rodgers seems to have a greater ability to laugh at himself, and he also doesn’t have that raging-jerk sideline demeanor we see from Brady fairly often. However, Brady also has Rodgers beat by precisely four Super Bowls. Is the sideline crap helpful? We can’t say it’s not, any more than we can say for sure whether it’s easier to throw a slightly underinflated football. Right? And let’s get to the core of the matter: Turning Deflategate against the league was the most obvious piece of legal theatrics since Al Pacino shouted, "You’re out of order! You’re out of order! The whole trial is out of order!" near the end of "And Justice For All." We saw the texts, man.

Twitter comment from @JackKellyNC: “I still feel like there’s something snakey and dishonest buried there somewhere."

Next Up:Colin Kaepernick timeline: Looking back at year of national anthem controversy